Electric switch



Nov. 25, l924 1,536,766

H. A. DOUGLAS ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed April 11. 192;

'of the lock of such a switch with the balance Patented Nov. 25, 1924.-

many A. means, or naonson, MICHIGAN.

nmc'rnrc swrrcni Application filed April 11,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY A. DOUGLAS, citizen of the United States, residing at Bronson, in the county of Branch and State ofdMichigan, have invented a certain new an useful Improvement in Electric Switches, of which the following is a full, clear, concise,'and exact description.

My invention relates to lock switches for controllin electric circuits and has for its general 0 ject the provision of improved means for assembling the movable member thereof. I

In accordance with my invention the movable memberof the lock is held in place by spring ressure. In the preferred embodiment 0 the invention the contact actuator which is governed by the movable member of the lock is fast with respect to such movable member to constitute therewith a unitar structure, these two parts being prefera 1y formed in one integral piece. The movable lock member together with the contact actuator in the same unitary structure therewith desirably float,. being positioned by spring means, preferably a spring pressed contact or contacts of the switch. I A switch thus constructed is of 'par'ticular utility when embodied in mechanism that also employs a handle adapted to govern another set of contacts and the axial portion of which the lock mechanism is disposed. The switch structure of my inven tion is much simplified as compared with prior switches and less liable to get out of repair.

The invention will be explained more f fully by reference to the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a sectional view taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 2 which is a sectional view on line 22 of Fig. 5; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 5 illustrating the manner in which a mounting nut is assembled with the casing and its mounting plate; Fig. 4 is a sectional view with a portion of the handle shown in eletact carriers; and

vation and with some of the parts removed Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line o Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a sectionalview illustrat ing complemental contacts upon two con- 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the handle looking from the inside thereof.

Like parts are indicated by similar charac- 1923. Serial No. 531,290.

ters of reference throughout the diflerent figures.

The casing has an end wall 1 and a side wall 2, the wall 1 being essentially flat and the wall 2 being preferably cylindrical. The

mounting plate 3 is disposedat the end wall and upon the exterior of the casing beyond whlch the mounting plate laterally proJects. One of these elements. preferably the mounting plate, is formed with a plurality of tongues, 4:,which project through openings formed iii-the end wall 1 of the casing. These tongues are laterally-deflected as indicated at 5 so that the end wall is inter-' posed and clamped betweenthe laterall de-' fiected ends of the tongues and the body portions of the mounting platemounting plate is desirably circular and coaxial with the casing and it has a central circular raised portion 6 which is concentric with the mounting plate and the casing and through which alarge circular opening 7 The is formed, this opening being likewise coaxial with the casing and plate. One or more arcuate slots 8, also concentric with the casing, are formed through the end wall thereof and are aligned with the opening 7, these slots being formed in depressed portions 9. The-end wall of the casing and the raised portion 6 of this mounting plate are spaced apart to receive arcuate flanges 10 formed u on one end 11' of the handle, these flanges, t e end wall of the casing, and the casing mounting'pl'ate co-operating to define a plane of rotation or oscillation forthe handle. The switching mechanism includes an actuating member 12, here shown as being in the form of a ring. This ring is formed with wide notches 13 upon its inner circular face. These notches receive the handle portions 1a which project into the interior of the casing through the arcuate slots 8. Said notches or openings are of such shape as to prevent material relative turning movement of the handle and actuating member while desirably permitting slidin movement of the actuating member 3 These contacts are shown in the form of ios threaded rods which are screwed into holes that are formed through the contact carrier and are provided with suitable binding screws upon the outer ends as indicated at 21. The inner ends of the rods 18 are slightly dished so as to receive contacts that are provided upon one or more contact carriers that are supplied in addition to the contact carrier 15. Another contact carrier 22 is interposed between the contact carrier 15 and the contact actuator 12, the contact carrier 22 being desirably in the form of a metallic ring which is co-axial with the actuating member 12 and the switch casing. The ring 22 carries a series of metallic contacts 23 which are formed with spring barrels 24. that have clinching formations upon one side of the ring to hold this ring in firm assembly with the contacts 23 upon the other side of this ring. The spring barrels 24 slide within openings formed transversely through the actuating ring 12 whereby this actuating ring engages sides of these barrels to force the barrels to turn therewith whereby the ring 12, in being turned, will turn the ring 22 to shift the contacts 23 into and out of engagement with the complemental contacts upon the carrier 15. This carrier is formed with depressions, clearly illustrated in Fig. 2, which receive the contacts 23 when the switch is in open circuit position, the carrier 15 being formed of insulating material.

The contacts 23 are pressed toward the carrier 15 and the actuating ring 12 is pressed against the depressed portions 9 of the end wall of the casing by means of coiled springs 26 that are located within the spring barrels 25, these coiled springs pressin each at one and upon the contacts 23 an. each at its other end against the actuating ring 12. The springs 26 desirably exert their pressure upon the latter ring throughthe intermediation of plungers or buttons 27 that extend into the barrels and project therefrom for the purpose. By the assembly illustrated the contact actuating ring 12 may perform its function without binding the springs 26. I

There is a central sleeve 28 that is co-axial with the handle and with the casing and other rotating parts of the switch. This sleeve 28 houses the barrel 29 of any suitable lock which is accessible from the front of the handl The sleeve is shown with, slots 30 into w ich the tumblers 31 of the lock may be projected when operated by a key in order to lock the inner contact carrier 34 and from which the tumblers may be withdrawn when the contact carrier 34 is to be unlocked and readjusted, the handle controlled switch being preferably always adjustable.

The contact carrier 34 is interposed between the contact carriers 12 and 15 and between the lock member 29 and the contact carrier 15. The oscillatable part 29 of the lock is made in aunitary structure with the contact actuator 35, being preferably formed in one integral piece therewith. The unitary structure 2935 desirably floats. The outerend of the barrel 29 is in thrusting engagement with the outer inturned end of the sleeve 28, this engagement being efiected by the contact springs 26 of spring pressing structures upon the carrier 34, these spring pressing structures being similar to the spring pressing portions of the contact structures upon the carrier 12, parts of the spring pressing structures upon the contact carrier 34 that are similar to 'parts of the spring pressing structures upon the contact carrier 12 being given similar characters of reference with prune exponents added. The

actuator 35is brought into actuating relation with the contact carrier 34 by receiving parts 24., 27 which are pressed upon in opposite directions by the springs 26, parts 24' being assembled with the carrier 34. One of these parts 24 is shown as being provided with a contacting portion 23' that may be brought into and out of engagement with the complemental contact upon the oarrier 15. The contact carrier 34 is thus also interposed between the contact carrier 15 and the contact actuator 35. The contact carrier 34 is shown as being in the form of a metallic plate and has a central depression 36, co-axial with the lock member 29, which depression 36 is received upon the inner end of the central contact 19, these portions 36 and 19 constituting complemental contacts as the switch is illustrated. The contact car rying plate 34 is thus obviouslymounted to be turned to the extent defined by the turnmg movement of the combined oscillating lock member 29 and contact actuator 35. The range of movement of these combined parts 29 and 35 is limited by an inner lug 37 upon the end wall of the casing and the end walls of the arcuate slot 38, receiving the lug 37, formed in the flat face of the actuator 35 that is adjacent the end wall of the casing.

Vhile the lock tumbler and one of thecontact actuators are preferably parts of the same unitary structure, the invention is not to be thus limited, as I believe it to be new with me to assemble the lock member alone in the manner described.

While I have herein, shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction shown as changes may'readily be made without departing from the spirit of mv invention, but having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following 1. A lock switch including a contact carrier; a contact actuator; complementalcontacts coupled with said carrier and actuator; a lock having a floating movable mem-' ber included in a unitary structure .with

said contact actuator, and a shell enclosing the movable lock member; and a spring'beator, and a shell enclosing the movable lock member, the'spring pressed contact serving to position the movable lock member in its shell.

3. A lock switch including a" contact carrier; a contact actuator; a lock having a floating oscillatable member included in a unitary structure with said contact actuator, and a shell enclosing the oscillatable lock member; and a' spring between said contact carrier and the oscillatable lock member that positions the oscillatable lock member in its shell.

4. A lock switch including a contact carrier; a contact actuator; complemental contacts, inclusive of a spring pressed contact, coupled with said carrier and actuator at the adjacent faces thereof; and a lock having a floating oscillatable member included in a unitary structure with said contact actuator, and a shell enclosing the oscillatable lock member, the sprin 'pressed contact serving to position the oscillatable lock mem-' her in its slfell." 5. A lock switch'including rier; a contact actuator; complemental contacts, inclusive of a-spring pressed contact, coupled with said carrier and actuator; and

a' lock having a movable member in actuat-- ing relation with said contact actuator and held in lace byth'e spring pressed contact.

-6. A ock switch including a contact carrier; a contact actuator; complemental cona contact car- Y tacts coupled with said carrier and actuator;

a lock havin a floating movable member in actuating re ation with said contact actuator, and. a shell enclosing the movable-lock member; and a. spring between said contact carrier and the movable-lock member that f itions the movable lock member in its P 5 shell. F

7. A lock switch including a contact carrier; a contact actuator; complemental contacts, inclusive of a spring pressed contact, coupled with said carrier and actuator at the adjacent faces thereof; and a lock having a floating movable member in actuating re a tion with said contact actuator, and a shellv enclosing the movable lock member,

.the spring pressed contact serving to position the movable lock member in its shell. 8. A lock switch including a contact car,- rier; a contact actuator; complemental contacts, inclusive of a spring pressed contact, coupledwith said carrier and actuator; and 'alock havin an oscillatable member in actuatingrelation with said contact actuator and held in place by the spring pressed contact.

' 9. A lock switch including a contact carrier; a contact actuator; a lock having a floating o'scillatable member in actuating relation with said contact actuator, and a shell enclosing the oscillatable lock member; and a spring between said contact carrier and the osclllatable lock member that itions the oscillatable lock member in its shell.

'10. A lock switch including a contact carrier; a contact actuator; complemental contacts, inclusive of. a spring pressed contact, coupled with said carrier and actuator at the adjacent faces thereof; and a lock having a floating oscillatable member in actuating relation with said contact actuator, and a shell enclosing the oscillatable lock member, the sprin pressed contact serving to position the osclllatable lock membar in its shell.

In witness whereof,'I hereunto vsubscribe my name this 29th da of March A. D., 1923. HAR Y A. DOUGLAS. 

